Did Dan Buettner Convince a NYT Foodie to Adopt a Healthier Lifestyle?

by Madison Agee, on August 05, 2015

Yes to coffee, red wine and bread? Kale and protein shakes not required? Long walks instead of high-impact exercise? Lingering with friends over a long meal? A pair of New York Times articles reveals that the secrets to a long, happy life may be a lot more enjoyable than many of us believe.

Recently, National Geographic Fellow and Healthways partner Dan Buettner spent a day with New York Times food writer Jeff Gordinier, in which the two prepared a “longevity feast” that reflected a sampling of the discoveries Buettner made during a global expedition to uncover the areas of the world in which people live the longest – known as “Blue Zones”. Buettner and Gordinier shopped, cooked and enjoyed a meal based on Blue Zones principles.

The experience, detailed in this article, convinced Gordinier that a healthy lifestyle that promotes longevity doesn’t have to be ascetic and miserable – in fact, a Blue Zones-centered life can be pleasurable and full of tasty meals and great companionship. Some of the tips that Buettner shared with Gordinier are collected here in a companion article.

Buettner is working with Healthways on the Blue Zones Project®, a powerful community well-being improvement initia­tive designed to make healthy choices easier through changes to environment, policy and social networks. You can learn more about the Blue Zones Project here.